How to Become a New York Certified Peer Specialist: A Step-by-Step Guide

Becoming a New York Certified Peer Specialist (NYCPS) is a rewarding pathway for individuals who wish to use their lived experience to support others in their recovery journeys. Here is a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the certification process.

For a visual explanation of the certification process, click here.

DETERMINE YOUR ELIGIBILITY.
1. Learn about the requirements for Provisional Certification and Standard Certification.
2. Choose your application type.
COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION.
1. Fill out either an application for Provisional Certification or Standard Certification (must be completed with PDF application).
  1. Ensure you provide all the necessary information accurately to avoid delays.
2. Letters of Reference
  1. Review the requirements for the Letters of Reference.
  2. As our website is currently undergoing significant improvements, document uploads—particularly Letters of Reference—may not always be received successfully. We apologize for this inconvenience.
  3. We encourage all applicants who experience issues completing the online application to instead download and complete the printable PDF application located at the bottom of the homepage. Select “Click Here” NYCPS-P (Provisional) or “Click Here” NYCPS (Standard), as appropriate. Using the printable application helps ensure the accuracy and completeness of your submission while eliminating document upload issues.
  4. Please also ensure that all reference letter authors review the criteria outlined on Page 7 of the application before completing their letters.
  5. Finally, ask all reference letter authors to email their completed letters directly to Info@NYPSCB.org and include the applicant’s legal first and last name in the subject line. This will help us accurately match all supporting documentation with the appropriate application.
3. Ensure you have all the required documentation.
SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION.
1. Once your application and reference letters are ready, submit them via the website.
  1. If you experience difficulties with the online submission, please send your completed application and all supporting documents to Info@NYPSCB.org.
2. Make sure you have uploaded all required documents and that they are legible.
3. Ensure you have checked everything thoroughly before submission to avoid processing delays.
INITIAL REVIEW.
1. Certification Board staff conduct the initial review of your application.
2. Certification Board are looking for completeness and accuracy.
  1. This includes – but is not limited to reviewing and verifying your:
    1. reference letters;
    2. educational records;
    3. Academy of Peer Services (APS) Transcript, and;
    4. Active Driver’s License or other acceptable form of identification.
3. If your application is rejected, you will receive an automated email detailing the reasons for denial.
  1. You can resubmit your application after addressing the deficiencies.
SECONDARY REVIEW.
1. The Certification Director completes the secondary review.
2. If your application:
  1. Passes secondary inspection:
    1. It will be forwarded to the Certification Board of Directors for final review and decision.
  2. Fails secondary inspection:
    1. You will receive an automated email detailing the reasons for denial.
      1. You can resubmit your application after addressing deficiencies.
FINAL REVIEW AND DECISION.
1. The NYPSCB Board of Directors conducts the final review and makes a decides to approve or reject your application for certification.
  1. If your application is:
    1. Approved, you will receive an automated email with your certification attached.
      1. The public-facing verification search will also be updated to reflect your certification.
    2. Denied, you will receive an automated email detailing the reasons for rejection. You can resubmit your application after addressing the deficiencies.